He suffered a chin laceration and a small tear in his bowel but Yusuf Nurrokhim is proving the old saying true – you cannot keep a good boy down.

The 8-year-old Whitianga boy seriously injured himself after falling off his skateboard while riding down a hill on October 21.

Whitianga 8-year-old Yusuf Nurrokhim and his mother Vanti Narulita. Photo: Supplied.

Yusuf spent just under a week in Waikato Hospital under the watchful eye of his mother Vanti Narulita, father John Calder and medical staff. He was eventually discharged earlier this week.

Vanti says he is recovering at home surrounded by family and friends and is well on the mend.

'Yusuf is still a bit sore here and there, he can't chew so he's eating a lot of soft foods.

'He's still not 100 per cent and we go back to hospital next week to check him up."

On October 21 Yusuf was being looked after by family friend Cira Naicker while Vanti was working.

Cira says the accident occured on Centennial Drive but was not sure what caused Yusuf to fall off his skateboard.

'He tried to stop on a piece of grass but he ended up hitting his chin on the concrete and his stomach landed on the skateboard."

Yusuf suffered a chin laceration but ambulance staff were more concerned that his stomach hurt and he was throwing up blood.

As precaution he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where he was monitored overnight, but by the following morning Yusuf was still throwing up blood.

He was scheduled in for laparoscopic surgery and doctors discovered a small tear in his bowel, which they stitched up.

Yusuf was discharged earlier this week and Cira says while it was a tense time the boy's sense of humour never wavered.

'Even though he was pretty banged up he was cracking jokes with the doctors and nurses the whole time.

'He's a lot better once he was allowed to eat and drink, he's like the old Yusuf again.”

Yusuf in Waikato Hospital. Photo: Supplied.

Vanti is also very proud of her boy, who showed how big his heart was during his stay in Waikato Hospital.

Following his accident the Whitianga community stepped up and supported the family.

They did this by donating petrol and gift vouchers to Vanti, while also collecting toys and presents for Yusuf.

Vanti says during the week a young girl with a broken arm was admitted to the same hospital ward as Yusuf.

'He suddenly asked if he could give some of his drawing pens to the little girl so she can draw and not be sad.

'It was beautiful. He has such a big heart and I'm so proud of Yusuf.”

This past week and a half has been an incredibly stressful time for Vanti who carried on working jobs at the Warehouse and Whitianga Hotel while he was in hospital.

Vanti says she has no immediate family in Whitianga but because of the support and help she has received the community now felt like her family.

'It's really blown me away, in a small community like this I can't believe how people care about us, and they've made us a part of their family.

'I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has supported and helped us to get through, and my employers who were great.

'I really appreciated it, if anyone ever needs help from me, if I can I will be there for them.”

Yusuf and Vanti in Waikato Hospital. Photo: Supplied.